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*****Peggy and Joe Stewart were in Paris, Texas over the weekend to meet their new granddaughter, Lilly, daughter of Joe Bob and Kelli Stewart. She was welcomed by her two sisters, Maggie and Claire. Joe Bob is the son of Joe and Peggy Stewart.

*****Larry and Alice Driggers have had company for 2 1/2 weeks. Their guests were: Don & Barb Dierberger from Payson, AZ, Ken & Sue Neal from Deming, NM, and Larry and Lynnette Anderson from Riverside, CA.....Lots of food and visiting was shared.....The females shared their crafts....and we can’t forgot the Big Boxer, Bubba.....that wore out the Driggers’ dogs, Nelson and Pearl.

*****Al and Kay Pratt, Bill and Mary Jo Snider, Lil Ayars, and Cheryl and Rick Pratt enjoyed a very nice, boating vacation in the British Virgin Islands. A great time was had by all! But it sure was good to be back home in Johnson City!

*****When the American Red Cross scheduled a three-day disaster training session at a camp near Leakey last week, the trainees were asked to provide one group meal such as might be prepared in a shelter. The highlight of the menus was from Johnson City: Sharon and Darryl Weisenbaugh prepared lasagna that drew rave reviews as it completely vanished. The next time we have to open a shelter in JC, we may get a crowd that only shows up for dinner.

*****Cynthia and Pat Smith went to Beaumont this past weekend for her 55th high school reunion from Beaumont High School. You might not know that Dr. Dan Ramsey here in Johnson City also graduated from Beaumont High School, but much much later. The Smiths stayed in Beaumont with their daughter Jenni and her husband Vic Marino. Three of the four people who sat at the same table with Cynthia in the first grade also made it to the reunion as well as Bob Keith from Round Mountain. Pat’s 55th reunion from Austin High was week before last but they decided that one 55 year reunion was enough for this year and skipped his. Too many old people they said.

*****On Friday, April 25, the Miller Creek RV Resort held a 6 pm Potluck followed by music featuring Chad Rueffer who made jaw-dropping music and Gary Carpenter, one of the hottest pedal steel players in Texas!

*****On Saturday & Sunday, April 26 – 27, the LBJ Ranch hosted a Cycling Weekend in Observance of National Park Week.

*****On Saturday & Sunday, May 3 and 4, the Texas Bison Festival was sponsored by the LBJ National Historic Park in Stonewall. A live bison herd & a Native American blessing of the herd were seen. Visitors learned about the history of bison in Texas including the Cap Rock State Park Texas Bison Herd & the herd at LBJ State Park. Texas bison producers attended and told about the present & future direction of the Texas bison industry. There was an 1800’s Texas Living History area with cowboy music & poetry and a chuck wagon. Also on display were farming lifestyles and other activities of early Texas settlers. There were interactive children’s activities. Native American Cultural area included dancers, music, storytellers, and tepees. There was also a General Store where visitors could purchase bison meat products. Arts & Crafts vendors were set up to include food booths that sold bison burgers, bison sausage, bison tamales, etc.

*****Congratulations to Shelly Heskitt Harris! She will turn 75 years young on Saturday, May 10. Her sons Dal and his wife from Victoria and Bill and children, Virginia and Benjamin, from St. Louis will help her celebrate with a barbeque and cake. Friends and family also are joining the celebration. Shelly was the former owner/editor/publisher of the Johnson City Record Courier and she’s proud to be remembered for her efforts to pass the school bond that installed air conditioning in the school and for working with W. C. Casparis to give numbered addresses to the citizens of Johnson City.

*****Don’t forget the JCVFD Annual Fish Fry and Raffle Fundraiser at the Blanco County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 10 at 5-8pm with a dance following. There will be plenty of food, raffle items with live and silent auctions.

*****Johnson City Woman’s Civic Club held their monthly meeting on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 7:00 pm at Frana Keith’s home in Round Mountain. The program was “Water Concerns for Blanco County” presented by Shirley Beck, former member of the Blanco County Water Board. She discussed issues about water rights and legislation. Election of new officers was held.

*****Nature and Wildlife Guided Tours and Walks at LBJ State Park will be offered on Saturday, May 10. Enjoy and learn more about the great Texas Hill Country outdoors on our nature and wildlife tours and walks. Tours last about an hour. Tours are at 10:30AM and 2:00PM, with water and cameras recommended. Tours are free and open to the public and donations are welcome.

*****There will be a 1967-style Presidential barbecue on the banks of the Pedernales River near the Texas White House on Saturday, May 17. Enjoy an old-fashioned BBQ in the famed “Picnic Grove” on the LBJ Ranch. Gates open at 3 p.m. with exhibits & tours, social hour at 4 p.m., live western music, Texas Heritage Show, BBQ and more.

*****Several members of the LBJ Fighting Eagles 5th grade band traveled to Medina, Texas on Saturday, May 3rd for solo and ensemble competition. All of the band members received medals and ratings of 1! They did very well.

*****You might be a Johnson City native if you remember when the Johnson City Record Courier was located in the Tin House and then in the building next to the Pearl Hotel and finally in the old Charles’ Restaurant.

*****Happy Birthday wishes to: May 14th – Ruth Anderson, Ava Didway, Kasper Blackwell, Seth Bushnell, Madison Bushnell and Davis Maulding; May 15th – Gail Teegarden, Tom Hardy and Delores Mobin; May 17th – Debbie Dixon; May 18th – Cassandra Braun, Tori Mahar, Brian Monkhouse, and Whitney Liesmann; May 19th – Porter Dunnaway, Mary Hawkins, Susan Hill, Eloise Sherer, Nicole Ticer, Patti Smith, Mackensie Topper and Charlotte Holcomb.

*****Anniversary congratulations to Walter and Lori Hudson on May 16th; to Mitchell and Holly Liesmann on May 18th; to Terry and Connie Weirich on May 19th.

*****Tip for the week: Be good to yourself. If you feel good, that feeling may latch on to other people you come in contact with. Give them a nice smile and greeting to make their day—and yours too!

*****I’ll see you again when there’s more news! Speaking of news, if you have some, email it to ped01@sprintpcs.com.